Rehman says govt of Pakistan strongly rejects the purpose and findings of the hearing. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

WASHINGTON: Taking a strong exception to a United States Congressional hearing on Balochistan this week, Pakistan has termed it an “ill-advised” move that would be detrimental to the trust between Pakistan and the United States of America.

A Pakistan Embassy spokesman in Washington said that Pakistan’s Ambassador Sherry Rehman raised the issue of an exclusive hearing on Balochistan by US House Committee on Foreign Affairs in her meetings with the members of congress and senior officials of the US administration.

According to the spokesman, Rehman said that the government of Pakistan strongly rejects the purpose and findings of the hearing and considers it an “ill-advised and ill-considered” move that will have serious repercussions for Pakistan-US relations.

“Balochistan is an integral part of the Pakistan,” the ambassador said. “Pakistan is a democracy conducting itself in accordance with the international law.”

Sherry said that the elected parliament, the Balochistan assembly, the independent judiciary, a vigorous media and a thriving civil society are avenues for expression and seeking redress of political and economic grievances.

“The government is strongly committed to protecting the fundamental rights and freedom in all parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan, and has initiated an extensive programme of constitutional and other reforms to empower all citizens in the continuing consolidation of democracy,” she said.

She said that the hearing was marked by a “blatant disregard for the history of the issue and manipulated selective facts”.

“It is deeply regrettable that the legislature of a country that calls itself a friend of Pakistan allowed itself to be used as a platform for advocating the dismemberment of Pakistan and provided justification to terrorists attempting to hold Balochistan, and Pakistan, hostage,” the envoy said.

“Pakistan views this hearing with a serious concern and considers it unacceptable. “This kind of an exercise constitutes interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. The hearing will be detrimental to mutual trust and confidence,” the envoy said.

Reader Comments (84)

maybe the american as well as our own media should also start treating the punjabi civilians murdered in balochistan as equal human beings also.thousands of punjabi and urdu speaking civilians have been deliberately targetted and brutally killed because of their being punjabi.we hear all the time our news anchors complaining about the missing people but not once has any of them ever bothered to do an interview with the families of the victims of this genocide against punjabis in balochistan.not once any talkshow on this ethnic cleansing.lakhs of punjabi and urdu speakers living in balochistan have been forced to run away from balochistan,selling off their properties in a hurry before they were murdered but no one in the media bothers to report on this .Are punjabis not humans? is the death of a punjabi not worth condemning?

If she had been doing her job and lobbying members of Congress maybe this hearing could have been avoided – the other alternative is that Pakistan could actually resolve the legitimate complaints of the Baloch’s and finally treat them as true Pakistani’s.

USA is the Evil Kernel who plants disputes through out the world.
and then demonstrates crocodile tears of so-called human rights.
Now the world is well aware of their atrocities in Iraq , Afghanistan and Pakistani tribal areas. killing innocent civilians.such as Guantanamo prison, Algraib prison Iraq and bagram prisons.
US marines urinated on the dead bodies of Afghans.
what not and what not.

“Balochistan is an integral part of the Pakistan”
“The government is strongly committed to protecting the fundamental rights and freedom in all parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan, and has initiated an extensive programme of constitutional and other reforms to empower all citizens in the continuing consolidation of democracy”.

The first point is that what good is “democracy” for the Balochis when they are devoid of even the most basic necessities of life, like food, water, shelter etc. How can she claim that Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan, when the government blatantly refuses to provide the Balochis their share of resources?

Please tell me why every one is getting so worked up. After all you are preaching from roof top from last 60 years for Kashmir what the people of Bilochistan are asking. And India is telling you the same what Mrs Sherry is telling to US now. Why double standards???

Pakistan seems to be worried the truth about the happenings in Baluchistan will be revealed by this “United States Congressional hearing on Baluchistan”. The biggest worry must be what happens if the whole world comes to know that India in fact is not involved at all.

Those worried about what is happening to Punjabis over there should welcome this move because the truth about that will also be revealed.

Baluchistan has been a riddle for quite some time. I have always wondered why the Pakistan Government does not make the situation clear. I have seen a number of programs on Pakistan TV channels discussing this topic in which all participants want the authorities to order an enquiry. (Specially after the recent killing of two ladies in Karachi).

I can see a lot of similarities with what happened in East Pakistan (I was there), and that is really worrying.

This is probably the first time there is some hope the world will know the facts after this United States Congressional hearing.

Those in Pakistan who manipulated removal of Ambassador Haqqani from Washington must be a happy lot, now that we are facing the severe ‘trust-deficit’ between our two friendly countries. Ambassador Hussain Haqqani had good grasp over things out there and his valuable PR among Washintonian of value could prevent this sad loss. Sherry Rehman might be good but let’s face it—–you need time to earn acceptance and respect which again takes time; time is crucial at this juncture and time is beyond our control. Too bad Pakistan, too bad!

“Ill advised”?!!!! Thats the limit of our reaction?!! What about outrageous? What about declaring it the act of an enemy state? Absolutely unacceptable and we should demand an apology and Obama should get on his knees and beg for forgiveness just like he does when someone in the US government questions Israel’s borders and actions. Its such an outrageous step by certain members of the US congress that it should definitely be a game changer for our relations regardless of the excuses their state department gives us. End the relationship with the US now!!Recommend

And by the way were you not aware of this hearing in advance. You could have lobbied hard and requested that the hearing should not be held as it would be interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs. But then again this would have been hard work………..

Whether Turbat or Quetta, the Baloch insurgents attack all development projects and then claim that there is no development in Balochistan. When Pakistanis of all ethnic backgrounds try to utilize the mining potential of the province, they get kidnapped and threatened and then the insurgents claim that the mineral wealth of the province is being sold to foreigners. In the mean time, Balochis have been living in Sindh, Punjab, KP, and FATA and doing business like anybody else…yet they expect that Balochistan should be for Balochis only? What nonsense.Recommend

So what were the facts disclosed during the congressional hearing ? Its true that Baluchistan has escaped international media and scrutiny while a most abject repression has been launched against the people there with the security agencies conducting a reign of murder with impunity.

How about saying that it is a balatant intereference in our internal affairs? US should congress should conduct hearings on how successive UN resolutions on Palestine and Kashmir could be implemented. May be that would help remove the tag of imperialism.

If Pakistan can discuss and aid Kashmir, why can’t Americans do the same for Baluchistan? Pakistanis pass resolutions of India and Israel every second day. Time to let others do the same for Pakistan. Supporting terrorists is not the monopoly of only Pakistan. Others can also pay back in the same coin.

I always wonder if some of you have ever witnessed the tribal sardars n tribal chiefs how powerful they are? they are the main culprits of balochi people , Baluchistan is a resourceful province along with its strategic importance being the entry point of oil rich gulf region.. USA is doing it n will do it coz they are kicked out from the area recently, on top of all they don’t want China to use this route to get access to oil rich gulf or to entrench their strategic roots here. USA isn’t the only culprit in the region, our brother countries like UAE, Iran, India and other regional powers are also adding fuel into fire for their own banifits especially UAE. Recommend

Every country has some problem or the other. Have you ever heard any other country complaining that “other powers are also adding fuel into fire for their own banifits.”? Why is it that Pakistanis like you always say so in respect of any problems?

In my humble view if you are sure of someone’s mischief, you should keep quite till you can act and expose them. You must have heard of the old story about a fellow who would unnecessarily shout wolf wolf. You know what happened when the wolf actually came.

Although this U.S. Congressional meeting just showed the powerful Indian lobby working around the clock to break Pakistan even further this still don't justify our negligence toward the Clear & Present Danger.
Just imagine the seriousness of the situation here: Afghanistan is land-locked and desperately need access to the Arabian Sea, India need trade and commerce with Afghanistan and all of the Old Russian republics, The West need same access plus a Watch Tower at Gwadar for all it's future oil supplies in the Middle East. Plus local Balochistan Nationalist want to live like Sheikh of UAE(which would still keep the poor Baloch under their thumb).
We must "at all cost" address the Balochistan Issue Now before whole world make an Irreversible Plan. In the end it don't mater who is conspiring from behind, but it does mater if we DON"T give them a chance. Now All decisions must be made by Public Representative to show the world it's not Army who is Ruling Balochistan, but it's the People of Pakistan who Rule.Recommend

@Babar F.:‘Although this U.S. Congressional meeting just showed the powerful Indian lobby working around the clock to break Pakistan’Very logical!!! Baluchis are not at all suffering. It is India, America and Israel who are after defaming Pakistan..

Instead of airing ill advised concept, Pakistan government and officials should rather reconsider their colonial policies lodged against the Baloch, If Balochistan had any hopes from the state, ‘independant’ judiciary, or media, this issue would not have been picked up by the Republicans who may aswell regain power in forthcomming elections. The ordinary people of Balochistan have been tolerant for six prolonged decades, witnessing horrific executions, endless stories of deception, and shallow promises, but this day in history will be marked as a new begining of diplomacy voicing the Baloch rights, new era of endurance and expectations. The Baloch might have to pay a high price for being heard but will hope that justice will be ‘served’ than ‘denied’

I agree that the Congress meeting being held on Balochistan solely was a wrong move because it is USA who wishes to strengthen the borders, talks about Pakistan’s security and so on but on the other hand passes a whole motion of dismembering the state.

Sherry Rehman on the other hand should have been more vigilant in condemning the meeting. she must have been knowing it about it before hand, I knew about it at least 3 days prior to the meeting was held. moreover, the government seriously needs to bring reforms on urgent basis starting with the Human Rights violation issue then only we can make our case strong as to defend our sovereignty.

US/India/Israel conspiracy is already hatched and is in the final stages of implementation starting with Congressional Hearing. Next on the agenda, EU and on to the UN.

Don’t worry, you have your bossom buddy to veto in the UN. You cannot hold people down by violence and atrocity against them for long.

You Pakistanis think that no one knows your game in Afghanistan, including Afghani’s? You don’t want a strong and democratic Afghanistan that is secular and supported by other democratic countries of South Asia, East Asia, EU and USA. You are workiing hard and hoping that everyone is going hightail out of there in 2014 and you can play your games again with Taliban and Al Queda, but it is not going to happen.

This is payback from US to Pakistan for playing a double game in Afghanistan? This is a payback from India to Pakistan for playing dirty in Kashmir and other parts of India – bleed by thousand cuts? Combination of both of the reasons? Now look who is bleeding by a thousand cuts?

“Pakistan is doing the same thing in Baluchistan what it accuses India of doing in Kashmir.”

I agreer with you fully, but did not know the as nice a way to express it as you do.

That is the problem with Pakistan. They think everyone in the whole world is as stupid as themselves. Because they keep hatching conspiracies themselves, they can see a conspiracy in whatever happens o them. It takes courage to accept the truth particularly when it is bitter. That sort of courage does not exist in the land of the pure.

@Babar F.: ” … Although this U.S. Congressional meeting just showed the powerful Indian lobby working around the clock to break Pakistan even further this still don’t justify our negligence toward the Clear & Present Danger. .. “

Since you guys spare no opportunity to remind us that Muslims ruled over India for a 1000 years, we have no option but to work with all those powers who seek to see the Islamist world divided into as many small entities as possible. It is only natural that we will team up with US, Israel and the EU.

@wonderer:“…They think everyone in the whole world is as stupid as themselves. “
On the contrary, they think they are so smart that they can out-talk, outsmart, outfox, out-strategise, outwit and outclass everyone else in the world. You may be right;only a stupid person would think that way but they can’t know that, can they?

Congressional hearings are not unusual. The U.S. congress routinely holds these types of hearings on a number of foreign affairs topics. These hearings do not always reflect the official stance of the United States government. State department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said this morning that the U.S. administration has not changed its policy and continues to see Baluchistan as part of the Pakistani state. Responding to a question on this topic, Ms. Nuland said, “Our view on Baluchistan has not changed. We are aware of this hearing. As you know, Congress holds hearings on many foreign affairs topics. These hearings don’t necessarily imply that the U.S. government endorses one view or another view. I’d underscore that the State Department is not participating or involved in this hearing.”

We have said before and we would like to say again that we strongly support the unity and the stability of Pakistan. As President Obama stated clearly, “what we have tried to do over the last several years, has been to engage aggressively with the Pakistani government to communicate that we want nothing more than a stable, prosperous, peaceful Pakistan, and that we will work with the Pakistani government in order to eradicate this extremism that we consider a cancer within the country that can potentially engulf the country.”

India can bestow diamond jewels on every home in kashmir valley and the kashmiri will still want India out. Baluchistan is a poor governance issue that can be easily solved by true leadership at the federal and provincial level.

This is a brilliant move on the part of US. With this master stroke so many strategic objectives are achived:
Deny the warm waters of Arabian sea to Chinese by denying Gawadar port.
Install a puppet regime in Balochistan that will watch over Iran.
Teach a lesson to Pakistan – if you think Afghanistan is your backyard and play all these dirty/ double games then, be prepared to lose Balochistan.
Brilliant, just brilliant!!

Maybe if sherry rehman was doing her job this would not have happened. Secondly I am a pakistani but I have no idea what is happening in Balochistan. I have watched too many programmes read too many articles but the situation is still a puzzle to me.

@usmanx:Well now it looks more like -
Pakistan can bestow diamond jewels on every home in Baluchistan and the Baluch will still want Pakistan out. Kashmir is a poor governance issue that can be easily solved by democracy.

@Chengez K: “Pakistan must work with China,Russia & Iran to kick out NATO” Dear Sir and what would Pakistan do when China & Russia will ask their pound of flesh? Sir why not be friends with neighbors and develop Pakistan so you do not have to work for any one and be proud part of south Asiatic emerging nations.

Baloch are being tuned into tinny minority, about 1.5 million afghan refugies settled in quetta.After Gowader sea port 4to5 million more will be poure in ,then what about pour baloch who will be chief minister and governor of balochistan? .we baloch are true pakistani we only want our identity to be saved.we love our country pakistan we need our identity to be saved, we need justice to be done this is baloch issue.

Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan. I admit that there are some problems due to which baloch people are not happy with us, but its a fact too that common people of our country love our baloch brothers and love Pakistan too.
My question is that America and world’s so called super powers see injustice in Muslim countries but why they close their eyes on Israel’s cruelty in Palestine and India’s in Kashmir…The answer is so simple and so clear their main purpose is to destabilize Muslim countries and they have no sympathies with us. So its the time now to think….Wake up Pakistanis….wake up…

Pakistanis be ready Uncle Sam is coming! One has to be more smarter than the aggressor to counter the expected attacks. The politicians in and out of parliament, the Army, Bureaucracy, the most vibrant media, the Bar Council, the think tanks and all other influential organs of the society who are in touch and are at the center stag at the helm of affairs; must take stock of the situation and respond in a reasonable and appropriate manner. The Pakistan Embassy has reacted rightly at appropriate time which should be pursued in most effective and scientific manner at all necessary forums before its starts pinching the nation and it is too late.

america is playing the same dirty game with us what russians tried to achieve through MURREES in 1970′s.HOWEVER we must not gloss over some of the ground realities in balochistan at present. there is no denying the fact that our baloch brethers are unhappy and every effort is required to be made to pacify them for others can only exploit the situation if it is not good.

@wonderer
Those, like you & me, whox witnessed the separation of Bengal from Pakistan know it very well that in those times the Pakistani establishment & military rulers used to say, ‘Bengal problem is the creation of India, (what was then) USSR and (perhaps) America’. U might be remembering the most rude & undiplomatic response by Yahya Khan to the request of the then USSR for political settlement with the people of Bengal, “Pakistan can not allow anyone to interfere in its internal matters” or words to that effect. And so on. The same “food” is being offered to people of remaing Pakistan that Balochistan issue is the creation of India & America. And Ms Sherry Rehman is talking almost in the same tone, of Yahya Khan. The innocent Pakistanis, particularly Punjabis, unwittingly believe what Pakistani establishment & its security agencies dole out to them, “Thousands of Punjabis are being killed in Balochistan. Baloch Sardars are criminals & agent procateurs. America & India want to dismember Pakistan”. And all such rubbish. I apprehend Pakistani establishment is condemned to repeat history as it has no appetite to learn from history.

Amazed to see so many Indians shedding the crocodile tears tears for Baluchistan..dont worry friends your ill thoughts against pakistan will not succeed as the reality on ground is different..we balochs are not like Kashmirs in india..there are more balochs in South Punjab then in Baluchistan…Karachi only has the baloch population half of Baluchistan..We are more the integrated in the pakistani society then Kashmiris are in indian society…what you indians know about Baluchistan…only because three main tribes…Bugti..mengal and marri are behind all this you thin all baloshis think liek that..for your king information baloch society is made up of tribes and it has 18 main tribes living across Baluchistan, sindh and Punjab..even this Zardari is half baloch..Lagaris..Jam of lasbela..jamalis of jafarbad and nasserabad..zahris of Qalat..bazenjos of makran and gawadar..buledis..and so many other tirbes have no issues..it is just a flame ignited by India to restrict china using gawadar port….so dont feel happy and mind your own business..it is really strange to see a human behavior like this..People are getting killed and Indians are enjoying this moment only for the sake of that pakistan is getting harmed..

Firstly, It really doesn’t make a difference whether Indians SINCERELY care about Balochistan or not. It’s not going to benefit us either ways.Your anti-Indian sentiment doesn’t really hold any valid justification. Do you care about the impoverished regions of India? No, ofcourse not and why should you? It doesn’t have any impact on our lives. Similarly, how can you expect Indians to care about Balochistan? It’s not their territory and it’s economic well-being will bring them minimal benefit. In fact, not only India, but many other countries will have the same indifferent stance towards Balochistan. Therefore, don’t expect sympathy from people who naturally dont care about Balochistan, even though I agree that the Balochis extensively deserve it.

And secondly, rather than going beyond the borders, you should look at how the establishment with in Pakistan itself is “shedding crocodile tears” and doing nothing to improve the situation. So rather than pointing fingers at India, we should first look within our own country and accept the flaws of its polity.

@Proud_Baloch: You are a very knowledgeable, patriotic and one of the brave Pakistanis I like associate myself with. You just remind of my school days when I was watching the young brave men of Baloch Regiment passing-out-parade on Pakistan Day. You just made whole Pakistan take a sigh of relief for your comments here. May we see soon bright future for Balochs and other left-behind nations of Pakistan.

“Sherry said that the elected parliament, the Balochistan assembly, the independent judiciary, a vigorous media and a thriving civil society are avenues for expression and seeking redress of political and economic grievances.
“The government is strongly committed to protecting the fundamental rights and freedom in all parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan, and has initiated an extensive programme of constitutional and other reforms to empower all citizens in the continuing consolidation of democracy,” she said.”

If the above is true, why is she stating the following concern? There should be nothing to be concerned about anything negative coming out, right?

““The hearing will be detrimental to building mutual trust and confidence and will add to suspicions in Pakistan about the US motives in the region and concerning Pakistan”,.”

I have heard the entire proceedings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2RDRvt_Mbo) and it is quite plain after hearing the views expressed therein, that this congressional hearing is something our government should take a serious note of. The Chairman, who in his opening remarks was not even clear about the geographical layout of Baluchistan, mentioned a biased view of the existing state of affairs. Nevertheless, it is high time for our government to act immediately and take cognizance of this extremely important matter, by taking all stakeholders into confidence.

One can not ask for ‘Independence’ in a land where they are in a minority. The majority of the population of Balochistan comprises of non-Baloch. Yes, Pakistan needs to respect the life and property of Baloch people. At the same time, a massive effort needs to be launched so that an ordinary Baloch is not held hostage to a tribal chief.

@Ch Usman Ashraf:Kashmir is an integral part of India. I admit that there are some problems due to which Kashmir people are not happy with us, but its a fact too that common people of our country love our Kashmiri brothers and love India too.
My question is that America and world’s so called UN Security council and China see injustice in Kashmir but why they close their eyes on Pakistan’s in Baluchistan and terrorism from Pakistan in Kashmir for so long… The answer is so simple and so clear their main problem is to destabilize the world and implement one religion all over the world. So its the time now to think….Wake up World…. Wake up…

And so goes on Pak bashing using Balochistan as their scape goat. And so goes on India’s secret war of terror on Pakistan. India wants to stay as the perpetual enemy of Pakistan with its Pak bashing Indian lobby!

The interference in Pakistan is a calculating move in view of current relation between U.S. and Pakistan. It is also an intimidating move to sovereign country and it’s internal affair. The Baloch peoples are with Pakistan except a handful are terrorist and they need to be push to wall and then eliminate from the peaceful society.

@Ruksana Lawyer – You Indians need to stop targetting the Balochi people with your terrorism . . .It is Indian conspiracy and Indian terrorism all the way!!!!!!!! U Indians stink as you are loaded with conspiracies against Pakistan. Do not try to shake hand with one and stab with another. . . It will not work . . . Pakistan understands India better than other countriy. You Indians have chosen to be at war with Pakistan in a multi faceted way. It is quite apparent even if India hides behind other countries using them as the front. Dont blame Pakistan for focusing on Defence as India is upto no good as always!

@Balochi Dil:
So now now age-old Indian Mind & its Working is out in the Open? So much for their struggle to survive-thru-conspiracies, you just showed their cards to the world. How they going to play hide & seek now? Very Sad for a short but colorful journey of a newly hatched Parvana!

Kashmir issue should be raised in that conference nearly 10,00,0000 hindu kashmiri pundits massacred by the jihadi assailants from last 500 years to till date , why US is TURNING A BLIND EYE TO address the kashmir hindu pundits issue . kashmir does not need the army if hindus ,pundits will be allowed to stay there to leave peacefully. this jihadi issue should be immediately addressed.and they should be given a fitting reply.

And you forgot help of Pkistan in 1979, 30 million regugees on pakistani soil , where were your Indian friends , were they with you are Russians , Now they left them and soon you will also come to know about friend and foe @Mangal: